Top: Anwar Sadat and the Shah of Iran In 1966 a coup brough a 'leftist' government to power in Syria. Fearing the consequences for the whole region Israel launched a war against the Arab states in 1967 -War'. It was devastating defeat for the Arab nationalist states and set the seal on their failure to confront imperialism either militarily. either would have meant a mobilisa— pillars of pro-US reaction.
Below, pillars of Arab nationalism Ben Bella (left) and Nasser (right) hold hands with Nikita Kruschev.
tion of the masses and a thoroughgoing break with imperialism. Because Arab nationalism didn't break with despite •all its radical measures, it was incapable of mobilising the workers and peasants for revolutionary goals.
But if it threw Arab nationalism into crisis, the 1967 war had another consequence. The Palestinian people drew the conclusion that only their own armed struggle could be relied on to defeat the Zionist state. The launching of armed struggle by the PLO fedayeen organisations threw the relationship between all the Arab states and Israel into turmoil. Fearing the destabilising effects in his own coun try, in 1970 King Hussein launched a bloody attack driving them out of Jordan. Fateful. ly, most of the Palestinian fighters
•Women can't afford to lose the gains from this revolution' struggle.
women in Ireland.
Ann, how did you get involved in the nationalist HOCEI-CHIL I started in 1970, after I'd been burned out of my home in 1969 by loyalists and RUC men. I knew people that were in Sinn Fein and approached them and asked to join it. My reasons for joining were that I believed that the British government should out of Ireland, shouldn't be there; and the troops shouldn't be on the streets and I wanted to do as much as I could to help have them removed.
was actually brought up in Socialist Action 2 December 1983 SINN FEIN'S recent Ard Fheis (conference) discussed the issues of abortion, positive action and the role of women in the party and in the nationalist ANN MAGUIRE and CHRIS McAULEY, are both active members of Sinn Fein and talked to Valerie Coultas about why they became involved and what significance the Ard Fheis discussions have for in wonen WilO local cumann working for Republican News.
pull Evolved in local issues, extent we are now. realisation now In prison, like most prisoners, ! went through an educational process because you've little else to do. I was involved in a lot of issues in the prison fighting for the rights of ordinary weren't ponnca prisoners. I joined Sinn Fein when 1 lett prison. and became verv active ir (branch) and in What do you think about the decisions of Sinn Fein's recent Ard Fheis?
Prior to the hunger strike we were inbut not to the We've come to the that we have to be fighting all the different systems the state has for putting our people down.
There level so that wav.
make sure we make from next year's local council elections in the free state, if they come off, and in May 1985 in the six counties.
needs to be concious cnange or alttuae al tne grass rool women are taken into consceraon usi ai roremost. arc that if a woman has the potential and the abiltv to g0 , torward as a can. didate, then nothing should be put in The excuse that she has children or anything shouldn't be usAll these motions will have to be acted upon, not just paid lip-service — it's up to the women in Sinn Fein to that does happen. womer m armada save dwavs salo. we can't afford to lose the gains which this revolullull. LIlt way the women in the last phases of the struggle did lose out after 1916.
Has the solidarity of women in Armagh made a particular impact on women in Sinn Fein?
Yes, we look to the women as a real example of the courage and determination which has kept us going know sometimes when think, God I can't go on any longer.